External validation of four models predicting treatment success after interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment

Disabil Rehabil. 2026 Mar 22:1-24. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2026.2639941. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Externally validate, recalibrate, and update four prediction models for interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment (IMPT) success in chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP).

METHODS: Routine care data from individuals with CMP undergoing a 10-week IMPT was analyzed. Success was assessed using four outcomes: patients' recovery perspective in disability, physical and mental quality of life, and disability. We evaluated 63 demographic and candidate predictors, primarily patient reported outcome measures.

RESULTS: Data of 2204 individuals were analyzed, achieving success rates of 38%, 28%, 29%, and 52% for recovery perspective, physical and mental quality of life, and disability, respectively. After updating, calibration was similar to the original models, but discrimination was slightly reduced (-0.06 to -0.02). Furthermore, the four models included 19 predictors (one consistent across all) and demonstrated strong calibration and mostly acceptable discrimination (AUC 0.66-0.74). Decision curve analysis indicated greater net benefit for the updated models than treat-all or treat-none across clinically relevant thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS: Standardized patient-reported outcome measures can predict IMPT success effectively. "Treatment control" (i.e., expected treatment effect) emerged as the most consistent predictor. Predictor relevance varied by outcome, underscoring the importance of careful outcome selection. These results support patient-centered care, and tailoring interventions to individual factors for optimal treatment success.

PMID:41865281 | DOI:10.1080/09638288.2026.2639941